![Shikha Pandey sold to Warriorz [Source: AFP Photo]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1764251077510_ShikhaPandeybuy.jpg?type=hq)
Shikha Pandey sold to Warriorz [Source: AFP Photo]
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 auction was going smoothly before the UP Warriorz and RCB decided to up the ante as they made a surprising bid for the 36-year-old Indian pacer, Shikha Pandey. The pacer has not played for India since 2023, and despite this, the Warriorz and the Challengers went toe-to-toe for the fast bowler.
After an intense bidding war, UP outclassed RCB and purchased her for a whopping 2.4 crore, and became the third most expensive buy of the mega auction, and this came in as a surprise. The pacer has average stats in the T20Is for India, but both sides had a tussle to acquire her services.
Why both sides bid for Sikha Pandey?
An experienced campaigner, Shikha Pandey has represented India in 62 matches and has been a superstar for India across formats. In 62 games, she has plucked 43 T20I wickets, with an economy of 6.49.
Plus, there are hardly any quality bowlers in the league, and by getting hold of Pandey, the franchise will get an experienced campaigner, and at the same time, they’ll be getting a pacer who has an excellent economy rate.
Moreover, both sides needed a solid fast bowling option, as UP Warriorz pipped RCB to buy Shikha Pandey.
Is Shikha Pandey worth 2.4 crore?
Perhaps both sides went a bit too far to acquire her services, especially considering her age. Pandey is 36, and is not getting any younger, and the same money could have been used to buy two players, or could have been spent on a younger pacer.
In the WPL, she has been decent, with 30 wickets in 27 matches, with an economy of 6.96 as the Warriorz are pinning their hopes on her.
